PRESENTS

'JOY TO THE WORLD'

 ( A Joyful Christmas Concert )

JOIN US

Sunday   December 21, 2008 at 3:00 PM

First Congregational Church of Sonoma - Sanctuary

252 West Spain Street, Sonoma, California

JOIN OUR ARTISTS FOR WONDERFUL SONGS OF THE SEASON

SONOMA CITY OPERA will present “JOY TO THE WORLD”, a joyful Christmas concert, on Sunday December 21, 2008 at 3:00 PM, in the sanctuary of the First Congregational Church, 252 West Spain, in Sonoma.

Artistic Director and soprano, Antoinette Kuhry, will be joined by mezzo-soprano Bonnie Brooks, tenor Michael Fontaine, and pianist Mary Chun for an afternoon songfest featuring holiday music ranging from Handel’s Messiah to Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.  It will culminate in a Christmas carol sing-a-long with the audience featuring many beloved Christmas carols.

The artists have all been familiar to Sonoma City Opera audiences over the years.

Antoinette Kuhry formed Sonoma City Opera with associates in 1984 and was its Artistic Director from 1984 until 1998.  In 2001 she returned as Artistic Director.  Included in the 32 productions presented under her leadership were two world premieres, The Dreamers in 1996 and Every Man Jack in 2006.  Roles she performed with the company include The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, Lucy in The Telephone, and the Cheshire Cat, White Rabbit and Mock Turtle in Alice in Wonderland.  In 1996, Ms. Kuhry was honored as Sonoma Treasure Artist of the Year for the City of Sonoma

Bonnie Brooks has been performing in Sonoma County and the San Francisco Bay Area for over twenty years.  She has appeared extensively in opera and oratorio and has performed principal roles with Pocket opera, Cinnabar Opera Company, Northbay Opera, Redwood Lyric Theater and Sonoma City Opera.  She was the Marquise of Birkenfeld in SCO’s production of The Daughter of the Regiment in 2004.  Ms. Brooks has appeared as soloist with symphony orchestras as well as given numerous chamber and solo recitals in churches and concert halls. 

Michael Fontaine is a well-known Stage Director as well as singer and actor in Sonoma County and he has directed several operas for Sonoma City Opera, including last summer’s Don Pasquale.  His regional theater credits include staging dozens of musicals, dramas and opera productions.  As a singer and actor, he has appeared in numerous roles with companies in the Bay Area and beyond, receiving the Dean Goodman Award and American College Festival recognition.  He is the Executive Director for the Petaluma Arts Council.

Mary Chun conducted Sonoma City Opera’s world premiere opera, Every Man Jack, in 2006 as well as The Elixir of Love and The Daughter of the Regiment, both performed in the Sonoma Barracks courtyard.  Ms. Chun is the Principal Conductor of San Francisco’s new music ensemble Earplay and guest conducts for many other orchestras.  She has worked with many composers such as John Adams, Tan Dun, Olivier Messiaen and created premieres of many composers.

CALL 707-939-8288 to order tickets ( VISA & Mastercard).

Tickets will also be available at the door

DOORS OPEN AT 2:30PM